Reg Simpson was a stylish opening bat for Nottinghamshire and England.
Handsome, tall and dark, he cut an elegant figure at the wicket with his
upright stance and flowing drives. A strong back-foot player, he hooked
better than most tall men. He bowled occasional off-breaks, and was a fine
fielder, especially in the covers. His first-class debut was delayed by the
Second World War, and he was first seen playing for Sind in India, where he
was stationed with the RAF.

Simpson was 26 before he played first-class cricket in England, but he
made an immediate impression, and was selected to tour South Africa in
1948-49. He played a single Test on that tour without passing double
figures, but when picked to play against New Zealand the following year he
made a century in the middle order. As an opener he found it hard to
displace Hutton and Washbrook, and later faced competition from others and
was in and out of the Test side over the next six years. In 1951 he took
over the captaincy of a weak Nottinghamshire, and shouldered the burden for the next decade. Intermittent back problems did not prevent him amassing sixty
four first-class centuries, and playing 27 Tests.

Simpson's finest hour was probably the 156* that was a primary
contribution to England's first Test victory over Australia in 13 years, in
the final game of the 1950-51 tour. Batting at No. 3, he was on 92 when
the ninth wicket fell with England only 29 ahead. He took the attack to the
Australians magnificently, and the last pair put on 74. EW Swanton said of
this innings: "In such a mood Simpson's batsmanship looked akin to
greatness". Such moods came upon him rarely however, and he was never able
to reproduce the consistency of his county form at Test level. He retired
in 1960, served on the Nottinghamshire committee, was made an honourary
member of the MCC, and was a director of the bat-makers, Gunn and Moore.
David Liverman